Jackson scored in the 81st minute after he stole the ball from goalkeeper Josh Saunders outside of the goalie's box and tapped a shot into the center of the net. Saunders dribbled out of the net attempting to make a clearance before Jackson came around the left side to make the steal.

In the 71st minute, Jackson helped give FC Dallas the lead with a volley over the head of Salt Lake's Lovel Palmer. Fabian Castillo took possession of the pass outside the penalty area before dribbling around Palmer and firing a shot from about 15 yards into the left corner of the net. FC Dallas is 3-0 at home this season and 3-1-0 for the season. Real Salt Lake dropped to 1-2-1.

Dallas defender Matt Hedges saved a goal in the 77th minute when he cleared a loose ball to protect an open net and prevent Salt Lake's Devon Sandoval from scoring. Sandoval would have had a clear shot from inside of 10 yards with Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz on the ground after making a diving save on a shot by Robbie Findley.

Seitz finished with three saves for his first shutout since Aug. 29, 2009, when he was in net for Real Salt Lake in its 1-0 over
Sporting Kansas City.

Both teams were short-handed with players called up for international duty, including the stating goalkeepers for each team. Salt Lake was without five starters as Tony Beltran (U.S.), Kyle Beckerman (U.S.), Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica), Abdoulie Mansally (Gambia) and goalkeeper Nick Rimando (U.S.). Dallas played without starting goalkeeper Raul Fernandez (Peru) and Blas Perez (Panama).

Jackson almost scored his first goal in the 57th minute when he fired a right-footed shot on a breakaway, but Saunders made a two-handed stop.